[1000mp] possible 1000MP upgrade - FT-2000? NO!

[Rob Atkinson]

<<<I've noticed that many of the frustrated and
disenchanted FT-2000 owners have claimed to have read
the manual several times and played with the rig for
weeks or even months.  Yet it must be pointed out that
this does not imply that they understood the manual or
exactly what they were doing.  On the other hand, one
might conclude if the radio is that difficult to
understand (and hams tend to be a fairly intelligent
bunch) >>>

When the  Orion came out, there were all kinds of complaints about 
setting it up, especially with the AGC.   There have been complaints 
about Yaesu's manuals for the MP rigs for years.   I've never owned or 
even operated a FT2000 but I can believe that some of the problems with 
it have to do with space between ears and/or NRM (not reading manual).

Also, parametric eq's are tricky to set up; it really helps to have a 
way to hear yourself off-air which a lot of hams may not have or may 
not know to try, but I've heard a 2000 operated by someone who knew 
what he was doing and set it up right and it sounded very good, so I 
know it has great potential.   If there's a problem in that area, it's 
that hams need a no-brainer eq, or are better off with none at all.

<<<I don't think it's worth it if you have a functioning radio.  Also, 
I still
can't fully understand the idea of a 200 watt radio.  There are no
amplifiers that I know of that need 200 watts to be driven.  Let's face 
it,
without the amp you're doubling your output power (100 watts to 200 
watts).
What's it worth on the other end? 1 S unit? >>>

I also thought this until I got a rig with a 200 w. PA.   There are a 
surprising number of times when 1 S unit means you can have a qso v. 
100 w. not being enough.   There are also times when some amps, usually 
the 2 x 3-500 ones, need a little more than 100 w.  The AL-82 on some 
bands needs around 140 w. for full 1.5 kw output according to the ARRL 
review.   A 200 w. PA exciter allows an op who is running SSTV, RTTY or 
some other high duty cycle mode to run the exciter at 100 w. with no 
strain or heat probs.    I use a cathode driven grounded grid amp so I 
use all the power my 100 w. rigs can produce to drive the amp.    When 
I got the Mk  V I found I could do without the amp more often with the 
200 w. and when the amp died and I was "qrp" for a month, the 200 w. 
was real nice to have.   Now, if I were in the market for a new rig, I 
would not consider one that didn't have a PA with 150 or 200 w.   Once 
you get used to it you don't want to go back.


<<<If you just like rag chewing, or digital comm, guess it wouldn't 
matter much. Many do and that is another great part of our hobby.>>>

Actually I think it's the other way around:  There are times when you 
may get by with 100 w. for a quick contest exchange but if you are gg 
to yack with people for an hour you want them to be able to hear you 
without going to a lot of trouble.  QRO is important for ragchewing 
too,  hi hi.

73

rob / k5uj